BARRON'S BOOK NOTES

J. R. R. TOLKIEN'S

THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS

^^^^^^^^^^J. R. R. TOLKIEN: THE AUTHOR AND HIS TIMES

When you were younger, did you ever make up stories about the people and places around your home? Maybe there was an abandoned house that in your imagination became haunted by ghosts, or an old neighbor woman that you envisioned as a witch. This fantasizing isn't very different from what many writers do when they transform their experiences into fiction. J. R. R. Tolkien, in his invention of Middle-earth, has done this to a greater degree than most. The Hobbit and, even more so, The Lord of the Rings were the fruits of a lifetime's work, and Tolkien incorporated into them the landscape of his childhood, his interest in philology (the study of languages), his religious faith, his own vivid imagination, and his attitudes toward the world and the events happening around him.

The first three years of Tolkien's life were spent in South Africa, where he had been born in 1892. His mother returned to England in 1895 with him and his younger brother. His father stayed in South Africa, planning to join the family later, but within a few months he contracted rheumatic fever and died.

The Tolkiens settled in the small English town of Sarehole, where the widow struggled to raise her children alone. As he grew, Tolkien showed an aptitude for language, and under his mother's tutelage studied Latin and French. An avid reader, he especially loved fairy tales. His favorite was the story of Sigurd, the dragon slayer. It wasn't the hero but the dragon Fafnir who intrigued him. The dragon represented a world that was exciting and dangerous, yet that was safely removed from his own life. Tolkien later recalled, "...the world that contained even the imagination of Fafnir was richer and more beautiful, at whatever the cost or peril." His fascination with dragons was later to appear in the character Smaug in The Hobbit.

Despite their poverty, it was a happy time for the boys, and in later years Tolkien recalled the countryside and its people with great

fondness. In fact, the land and the people of Sarehole were to become part of his books, as the Shire and its whimsical inhabitants, the hobbits. You can see elements of his childhood home in hobbit country. The Sarehole mill became an important landmark near Bag End, Bilbo's home, and the miller's evil-looking son was transformed into Ted Sandyman, the unscrupulous hobbit who contributes to the polluting of the Shire in The Lord of the Rings. "The Shire," Tolkien once said, "is very like the kind of world in which I first became aware of things." At another time, he said, "I took the idea of the hobbits from the village people and the children."

Tolkien became absorbed in the study of language. After his teachers introduced him to Anglo-Saxon, or Old English, he began to read heroic tales such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Next he turned to Old Norse and the Norse sagas. On his own, he rummaged through the local bookstore for books on philology and archaic languages. Then he began to invent his own languages and alphabets. He developed complex histories for his languages, earlier words that evolved into later words, just as the Old English "stan" evolved into "stone" in modern English.

Not surprisingly, Tolkien went to Oxford University to study philology. One day he discovered a Finnish grammar book. While the words themselves enthralled him, Tolkien's imagination was also fired by the tales written in this strange language. He delved into Finnish mythology and found himself wishing that there was such a body of work for England. It was perhaps at this point he first thought of writing a mythology himself.

Now Tolkien began work on a new language, based on Finnish--his "mad hobby," as he called it. He felt that the language needed a history to support it: a language can't exist without the people who speak it. Tolkien decided that this language was spoken by a race of elves who had already appeared in the poetry he was writing. This poetry was to form the basis of the vast mythology Tolkien wrote about a land called Middle-earth. just as his languages were based on actual languages, his mythology incorporated elements of the myths and legends that Tolkien admired.

Around this time, World War I began, and England declared war on Germany. Tolkien entered the British army as an officer. Before going off to war, he married his childhood sweetheart, Edith Bratt. Like Tolkien, whose mother died when he was 12, Edith was an orphan. They had fallen in love

when he was 16 and she was 19. Their guardians, however, had found out about the romance and had forbidden the lovers to meet until Tolkien turned 21, when he would legally be an adult. He incorporated this long separation into The Lord of the Rings, in the romance between Aragorn and Arwen.

Tolkien was sent to France, where he took part in the 1916 Battle of the Somme, a costly battle for the Allied forces. The slaughter there of thousands of young British soldiers left a lasting impression on Tolkien. In addition, the land had been desolated by trench warfare and the use of heavy artillery. His description of the desolation around Mordor has often been cited for its resemblance to the war-torn landscapes in Europe. Many of his colleagues who had been through the war saw its influence on Tolkien in scenes where he describes not only the horror of war, but also the sense of close comradeship and the quiet joys of little things. Those who survived the Battle of the Somme faced death from an unexpected quarter in the following months. Influenza and trench fever swept the ranks, affecting soldiers and officers alike. Tolkien contracted a particularly bad case of trench fever and was shipped back to England in late 1916. He spent his long recovery working on his mythology. The war ended in late 1918. Tolkien had survived, only to find that all but one of his close friends had died. To someone who valued friendship so highly, this was a great blow.

Tolkien once said that at the heart of his books is the realization of the inevitability of death. At the age of 24, he had already faced not only the widespread death of the war, but also the personal losses of his parents and friends.

Tolkien slowly returned to academic life. He moved through a series of university positions, culminating in his election to a professorship at Oxford. He published several scholarly works that won respect in his field, including a landmark lecture on Beowulf, the famous Old English epic poem.

But he began to feel increasingly alienated from the world about him. Postwar England was rapidly changing with the growth of technology and industry. The way of life he loved so much and had risked his life to defend in war was disappearing. He watched sadly as trees were cut down and countryside was taken over by city, all in the name of progress.

Tolkien's answer was to turn to the myths and heroic legends of the past. He also continued to work on his own mythology. By this time, he had developed several new languages and a complex history and mythology, for the races who spoke them. This hobby, as Tolkien modestly called it, was his consuming passion, but he never expected it to arouse much interest in others. He wrote several poems and stories that were published in a university weekly, but there was nothing yet to catch the popular imagination.

That was to change with his invention of hobbits--short, jolly folk with hairy feet and a love of tobacco pipes. One day while sitting at his desk and grading papers, Tolkien came upon a blank page. He wrote on it, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." Almost ten years after he had written that first line, Tolkien completed The Hobbit, the story of a timid hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who sets out on an adventure with a troop of dwarves and a wizard. Tolkien incorporated into his book elements from his mythology, including the dwarves and elves. His childhood memories and the inventive imagination that so delighted his own children gave the book its droll humor and its main character, Bilbo. In the hobbit, Tolkien had found a character his readers could identify with and follow into the heroic world of myth and legends.

The Hobbit was published in 1937 as a children's book. It was met with great enthusiasm and received several awards, including the prestigious New York Herald Tribune prize as the year's best children's book. At the request of his publishers, Tolkien set out to write a sequel to The Hobbit. The publishers had wanted another children's book, but it soon became apparent that the new book was taking on a more profound meaning and would far surpass The Hobbit in depth as well as length. When Tolkien at last submitted his new novel, The Lord of the Rings, his publisher thought that it was a work of genius but that it would probably be a commercial flop. However, when the first book of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, was published in 1954, it had respectable sales that quickly increased to a phenomenal rate. The other books of the trilogy, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, were published sooner than planned because of the popular demand.

The critics offered a range of comment on Tolkien. Some gave him great reviews, and he was awarded a prize for the best fantasy novel of 1956. Others sharpened their pencils and attacked the trilogy mercilessly. They said it was badly written, and dismissed it as escapist fantasy.

According to these critics, Tolkien's popularity would quickly fade. But such negative prophecies proved wrong. Tolkien's books soon developed a wide following, especially on college campuses in the United States. In the 1960s, Tolkien's message of love and peace and respect for nature appealed to students looking for new meaning in their lives. Clubs were formed and fan magazines were published for the sole purpose of discussing his books.

Tolkien, meanwhile, had retired from teaching in 1958. He published several more small works of fiction. But most of his effort went into his mythology, which he still had hopes of publishing. The task was a huge one. Tolkien had an assortment of manuscripts to work with, some dating back to his college days. Through the years, he had written conflicting versions of some stories from his mythology and had left others unfinished. The inconsistencies had to be ironed out and the gaps filled in. Facts also had to be corrected where they disagreed with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This work remained unfinished at his death in 1973.

The job of finishing the book was taken on by his son Christopher, who edited the manuscripts and compiled a coherent history of Middle-earth, from its creation through to the events recounted in The Lord of the Rings. In 1977 this history was published as The Silmarillion. If you read it, you will find the book very different from Tolkien's novels. It contains a great deal of legends and tales, some more fully outlined than others, but none with the plot and character development typical of a story. (In this way, The Silmarillion is even more like the ancient epics than Tolkien's other books.) If you want to know more about Middle-earth, however, the book contains a wealth of information about the land and races created by Tolkien's fertile imagination.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HOBBIT

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, one of a race of short, timid creatures who live in cozy tunnels and who prefer to keep their lives ordered and predictable. One day, he unexpectedly finds himself playing host to Gandalf the wizard and thirteen dwarves. The dwarves, with Gandalf's help, plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain to recover the treasure that a dragon named Smaug stole from their people long ago. Gandalf has selected Bilbo to be their burglar. The dwarves aren't too happy with the wizard's choice, especially when Bilbo faints at the first talk of

danger. But Gandalf insists there is more to the little hobbit than meets the eye.

Bilbo himself isn't sure that he's happy about being chosen burglar. But a part of him does yearn for adventure, and so one spring morning he finds himself setting out for Lonely Mountain with Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves. He doesn't prove very helpful at first. But then something happens that changes Bilbo's life. He finds a magic ring that makes him invisible, and has several opportunities to use it to rescue the dwarves from danger and imprisonment. They become quite impressed by him, and even rely on him, just as Gandalf foretold.

Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Lonely Mountain, the home of Smaug the dragon. The dwarves send Bilbo down a secret passage to the dragon's lair. Bilbo has more confidence in himself now and not only steals a cup, but manages to hold his own in a conversation with the wily Smaug--not an easy thing to do.

Furious that someone has dared steal a piece of his treasure, Smaug attacks the mountainside where the dwarves have their camp. Then he flies toward Lake-town, to punish the inhabitants for helping the dwarves.

The people of Lake-town run at the sight of Smaug, but one man, Bard, holds his ground. He kills the dragon with his last arrow and escapes before Smaug falls, smashing the town. Believing the dwarves are dead, an army of men, led by Bard, and an army of elves march toward the Lonely Mountain to divide the treasure. They find to their surprise that the dwarves are still alive.

Bard, because he killed the dragon, claims his rightful share of the treasure. When the dwarves refuse to surrender it, the army besieges the mountain. Bilbo tries to end the dispute by stealing the Arkenstone, the piece of treasure most valued by the leader of the dwarves. He gives the jewel to Bard, hoping it can be used to force the dwarves to negotiate. Bilbo's bravery wins him praise from all but the dwarves, who are furious with him. When more dwarves arrive from the north, they are determined to fight.

Just as war begins to break out, an army of goblins and wild wolves attack. The dwarves, elves, and men forget their differences and join together to keep from being killed. Help comes in the nick of time, and the goblins are defeated.

Bilbo finds that he's a hero, honored by men and elves and even given a share of the treasure. But he's had enough of adventure and sets off for home with Gandalf. Once there, he finds that his house and furnishings are being auctioned off, since everyone believed him dead. Finally, everything is straightened out and he's able to settle down again into his old, comfortable life. Although from then on, he's considered eccentric by his neighbors, he continues his friendship with elves and dwarves and the wizard, happily recounting his tales to any who will listen.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE LORD OF THE RINGS

Long after the events in The Hobbit, Bilbo again leaves the Shire, but not before reluctantly passing on his magic ring to his heir, Frodo Baggins.

Many years later, Frodo learns from Gandalf, the wizard, that his ring is the Ring, which belonged to the evil ruler Sauron. Sauron was thought to have been destroyed ages ago. But now he has reappeared in his ancient stronghold of Mordor. His Ring was presumed lost, but Sauron has discovered that it's presently in the hands of a hobbit named Baggins, who lives in the Shire.

To protect the inhabitants of the Shire from Sauron's wrath, Frodo decides to take the Ring and leave Bag End for Rivendell with three friends--Merry, Pippin, and Sam. Gandalf was supposed to accompany them, but no word has been heard from him. On the way, the four hobbits are closely pursued by menacing Black Riders, servants of Sauron. The hobbits are unprepared for the dangers that face them, and several times they're almost killed because of their foolishness. Fortunately, they are joined by a strange, secretive man called Strider, who offers to lead them to Rivendell.

One night, Frodo is wounded in an attack by the Black Riders. His friends bring him to Rivendell, where he is cured by Elrond, the leader of the Half-elven (a race of people who are half elf and half human).

A council meets in Rivendell to decide what to do about the Ring. It's agreed the Ring must be destroyed, for the temptation to use it is too strong, and anyone who does use it will be corrupted by its power. Frodo takes on the task of bringing the Ring to Mordor and casting it into the volcano where it was forged.

Strider takes this opportunity to reveal his true name: Aragorn. He is rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, which has been ruled by stewards for many years in the absence of a king. He plans to return to Gondor, to aid in its fight against Sauron and to claim his crown.

When Frodo departs from Rivendell, he is accompanied by representatives of all the free races of Middle-earth: Gandalf the wizard, Legolas the elf, Gimli the dwarf, Aragorn and Boromir of the race of men, and Frodo's hobbit friends, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. While passing through the mines of Moria, the company is threatened by a Balrog, a terrifying creature of flame and shadow. While fighting the Balrog, Gandalf and the creature plunge into a deep abyss and are both thought killed.

The rest of the company splits up further south. Boromir has fallen under the influence of the Ring and tries to take it from Frodo. Frodo runs away and decides to travel on to Mordor alone, but his faithful servant, Sam, insists on going with him.

Meanwhile, the others are attacked by orcs, an evil race created by Sauron. (Goblins and orcs are the same thing--Tolkien changed the name in The Lord of the Rings.) Merry and Pippin are captured, and Boromir dies defending the hobbits. After giving Boromir a hero's funeral, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli follow the trail of the orcs, hoping to rescue their friends. Instead, they find Gandalf, who has survived his fight with the Balrog and has emerged with renewed power. Gandalf tells the others that Merry and Pippin are safe: they escaped the orcs and are now with the Ents of Fangorn Forest. The Ents, who are shepherds of the trees, have been roused by the hobbits' story to attack Saruman, an evil wizard in league with Sauron.

Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli enlist the men of Rohan, whose country is threatened by Saruman's growing power, to join the fight against the wizard. With the help of the Ents, Saruman is overthrown.

Frodo and Sam, meanwhile, begin their long journey toward Mordor. They are followed by Gollum, the miserable creature who owned the Ring before Bilbo found it. Frodo and Sam capture him and make him promise to help them. Gollum guides them to a secret passage into Mordor. But in doing so, he also treacherously leads them into a trap. The secret passage he takes them through is the lair of a giant spider named Shelob, who he hopes will kill them so he can recover the Ring.

Shelob attacks Frodo, paralyzing him with her sting. Thinking that Frodo is dead, Sam charges the spider and succeeds in driving her off. Then he takes the Ring, intending to carry on the quest. Before he can leave, however, some orcs find Frodo's body and carry it into their fortress. Sam overhears them say that Frodo isn't dead, but only poisoned. Then the gates of the tower close behind the orcs, and Sam finds himself locked out.

Meanwhile, the others fight desperately to save Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, from Sauron's army. Against great odds, they win. Aragorn proves his claim to kingship by his great healing power: it is said that the hands of a king are the hands of a healer. But he doesn't yet claim the throne. First he leads what remains of the army to the gates of Mordor. Against Sauron's might they seem pitifully weak. Their only hope is to distract Sauron while Frodo and Sam travel through Mordor and destroy the Ring. If Frodo succeeds, Sauron will fall. If Frodo fails, they will all die or be enslaved.

Inside Mordor, Sam has managed to rescue Frodo from Sauron's orcs. The two hobbits creep through the desolate landscape of Mordor. Frodo grows so weak from resisting the power of the Ring that he can barely crawl, and Sam carries him for a while. When they at last reach the Crack of Doom where the Ring is to be destroyed, Frodo's will snaps, and he claims the Ring as his own. But Gollum appears and fights him for the Ring, biting it off Frodo's hand. Still gloating, Gollum falls into the flames and is destroyed along with the Ring. With the Ring destroyed, Sauron is vanquished forever. Frodo and Sam are rescued from the ruins of Mordor by

eagles, and together with Aragorn's army, they return to Minas Tirith in triumph.

There is much feasting and rejoicing as Aragorn is declared king and marries Arwen, the daughter of Elrond. The hobbits have all become heroes. But now they are ready to go home, and they head for the Shire. When they get back, however, they find that things have changed. Saruman has gained control, along with his ruffians, and is bullying the hobbits and destroying the beautiful countryside of the Shire. But Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin have learned much from their adventures and quickly set things right.

All seems well, until Frodo falls sick. He has been wounded too many times--by the Black Rider's knife, by the Ring, and by Gollum. It is ironical that even though he saved the Shire, he cannot enjoy it anymore. One autumn day he sets sail with Bilbo and Gandalf across the sea to the Blessed Realm, where he may at last find peace.

The following are major characters in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: BILBO BAGGINS

Bilbo is the small, timid hero of The Hobbit. It has been pointed out by some readers that in his thoughts and actions he is representative of modern man. Thus, adults are able to identify with him and not feel so out of place in Tolkien's heroic world of wizards and dwarves. Bilbo is also, fittingly, a character that children can readily identify with, since The Hobbit was written as a children's story and today is considered by many to be a classic in that genre.

Bilbo can also be seen as an example of Everyman, reflecting the potential greatness in us all. He's just an ordinary person. And with his small stature and simple, timid nature, he's certainly an unlikely hero.

Yet, despite his apparent weaknesses, Bilbo finds the strength to become heroic. His strength seems to come from the things he holds dear--frequent meals, a peaceful ordered life, and his pipe--the very things that, to some, make him seem so ordinary and laughable. And at the end of the book, these things are still important to Bilbo, a sign that these are qualities Tolkien wanted to emphasize. The only way Bilbo has changed is that he has become more self-confident, more capable of taking care of himself and of others.

But is Bilbo really an example of Everyman? In some ways he's not your average hobbit. For one thing, he's a bachelor, and a wealthy one at that. For another, his mother was from the Took family, hobbits with a tendency to be more daring and adventurous than most. This leads some readers to say that Bilbo is a member of an elite group, a select few who are superior to the common people. You'll have to decide for yourself what Tolkien intended--whether Bilbo represents the potential for greatness in even the weakest individual, or whether Bilbo is part of an elite circle that most people can never reach.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: GANDALF

Gandalf is the wizard who assists Bilbo and the dwarves on their journey. Like a typical wizard, Gandalf appears as an old man dressed in blue robes and a tall pointed hat. Wizards are skilled in magic, and Gandalf's specialty is fire. In the beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo enthusiastically recalls Gandalf's marvelous fireworks. Later in the story, Gandalf puts his skills to more practical use--for example, when he throws the evil wargs into an uproar with a magical fire that clings to their fur.

Wizards are often known for their shrewdness as well as for their magic, and Gandalf is no exception. He defeats the trolls not by magic but by cleverly distracting them until the sun rises and turns them to stone.

Despite his wisdom and magical powers, however, Gandalf can also be seen as a humorous figure. When Gandalf first meets Bilbo, Tolkien describes him in comic terms as having long, bushy eyebrows that stick out beyond his hat. He can be childish at times, acting grumpy in a rainstorm, or vexed that Elrond is the first to find the secret letters on Thorin's map.

Bilbo remembers from his childhood the wizard's fabulous fireworks, wonderful gadgets, and thrilling stories of adventure. just as Fafnir the dragon excited the imagination of the young Tolkien, so Gandalf intrigues Bilbo with a dangerous world, far removed from the hobbit's comfortable life. As the story of The Hobbit begins, Gandalf reenters Bilbo's life and starts the hobbit on an adventure into that dangerous world.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THORIN OAKENSHIELD

Thorin is the self-important leader of the dwarves and the grandson of Thrain, the last king under Lonely Mountain. The most completely developed character of the thirteen dwarves, he shows both the weaknesses and the strengths of his race. Accordingly, readers may find him ambiguous. He can be petty, selfish, and pompous, but he can also be heroic and awe-inspiring. He's motivated at first by greed and the desire for revenge, but when he reaches Lonely Mountain he begins to feel a higher purpose, claiming his rightful title as king under the mountain. He succumbs to a weakness of his race--possessiveness--but later redeems himself through courage in battle.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: GOLLUM

Gollum was once a hobbitlike creature, but when Bilbo meets him he has degenerated both morally and physically. Gollum has become a "small, slimy creature" with long webby feet, who lives in the heart of the mountain, paddling his boat on a subterranean lake. His most prized possession is his ring, which can make him invisible. He's obsessed with this ring, calling it by the name he uses for himself: "my precious."

Gollum's moral degeneration can be seen in his deceitful actions toward Bilbo. Yet Tolkien also depicts Gollum as a lonely, pitiable creature, who weeps at the loss of his one precious possession.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: BARD

When Bard first appears in the story, he is just an anonymous inhabitant of Lake-town. He proves his worth when he arouses the town to face the dragon Smaug's attack, and succeeds in killing Smaug when everyone else has given up the fight.

Bard is a heroic figure, a grim leader of strength and discipline, who serves as a contrast to Bilbo, the timid hobbit. Yet they both become heroes because of their determination to do what must be done, regardless of the consequences. Ironically, Bard's name is an old word for a certain type of poet who in England and Ireland's past often composed tales of heroism. When you read the book, try to decide whether this is a joke on Tolkien's part or whether in some ways Bard is more like a poet than a warrior.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SMAUG

Dragons are often depicted in legends as jealously guarding a great treasure. Tolkien stays true to this tradition in his portrayal of Smaug, who long ago drove the dwarves from their home in the Lonely Mountain and now jealously broods over treasure stolen from them and others. Dragons also have a reputation as wily talkers, and Smaug ranks with the best of them. He never says what he means, and even his polite words carry veiled menace. He skillfully plays on Bilbo's doubts and seeks to trick him into giving himself away.

Folklore describes dragons as misers who have been transformed by their greed. Dragons have also long been a symbol for the lure of gold and the evil that wealth brings. Tolkien uses this association between dragons and greed. He even refers to the corrupting effect of the treasure as "dragon-sickness."

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE MASTER

The Master, the greedy and scheming leader of Lake-town, seems in some ways a human counterpart to the dragon Smaug. He, too, is a wily talker, carefully choosing his words to manipulate others. He succumbs to the dragon-sickness--greed--and steals the share of the treasure that was to go to Lake-town.

The Master contrasts with Bard, who always says exactly what he thinks, even if others don't want to hear it. Also unlike Bard, the Master turns his back on his town, thinking only to save his own skin. In his selfishness he proves himself to be a poor leader.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: FRODO BAGGINS

The hero of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Frodo is Bilbo's young cousin. He inherits Bilbo's home and his magic ring when Bilbo leaves the Shire. Frodo's adventure begins when he learns that the ring is actually a thing of great evil. It is the Ring, made by Sauron, the Dark Lord, who is now trying to regain it. Frodo sets off on what will become a long and dangerous quest to destroy the Ring.

Readers often compare the characters of Bilbo and Frodo. Like Bilbo, Frodo is a bachelor and has some eccentric blood; his mother was a Brandybuck, a family of adventurous hobbits like the Tooks. Also like Bilbo, he starts out as a somewhat foolish hobbit and through his travels matures into a heroic figure.

But there are important differences between the two hobbits. Frodo is not the comic character that Bilbo was. He has benefited from Bilbo's knowledge, learning the lore and language of the elves and thereby earning their respect. His quest is more selfless than Bilbo's. He doesn't seek to win a treasure, but hopes to destroy one (the Ring of Sauron) for the good of all Middle-earth. Unlike Bilbo, Frodo can't use the Ring to help him with his task. And, finally, his story is in the end tragic--while he saves Middle-earth from destruction, he can no longer enjoy its beauties. He suffers too greatly from his wounds and from the loss of the Ring. His departure for the Blessed Realm at the end of the book is interpreted by some readers to be a symbolic death and also bears some similarity to the departure of the legendary King Arthur to Avalon, a magical island.

Frodo is sometimes considered a Christ-figure, because he undergoes great suffering for the sake of others (Tolkien himself would not say if this is what he intended. He wanted readers to make their own interpretation.) While he becomes weaker physically through the course of his trials, he

also becomes stronger spiritually. A certain light seems to shine within Frodo, reminiscent of the description of saints. When Frodo leaves Middle-earth in the company of Gandalf, Galadriel, and other beings of great power, this increases the sense that Frodo has become something more than human.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: ARAGORN (STRIDER, THE DUNADAN, ELESSAR THE ELF-STONE)

As Strider, chief of the Rangers who secretly guard the Shire, Aragorn guides Frodo and his friends to the safety of Rivendell. There Aragorn reveals that he's the descendant of kings. Through the rest of the book, Aragorn must prove himself worthy of the throne of Gondor.

Some readers feel that Aragorn should be considered as a second hero of The Lord of the Rings who is equally as important as Frodo. As you read, note the contrasts and parallels between the two characters. Aragorn's quest is to regain his inheritance, the throne of Gondor, whereas Frodo's quest is to destroy his inheritance (the Ring given him by Bilbo). Aragorn is a man of heroic stature and his tasks are those of war and leadership, whereas Frodo's are more spiritual: he must resist the temptation of the Ring.

Like Frodo, Aragorn continues to grow in character through the course of the book. In the beginning, he's shown as a loner, unaccustomed to friendship. At first glance he even seems disreputable, and the hobbits are suspicious of him. In Rivendell, he reveals that as rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, he plans to go there to present his claim. But when the loss of Gandalf forces him to take over leadership of the group of hobbits, he can no longer think only of his personal interests.

Aragorn is a very private man, yet Tolkien reveals glimpses of strong emotions: resentment at the simple folk who scorn him, not knowing that he protects them from great danger; loneliness at living the life of an outcast; and deep love for Arwen, Elrond's daughter.

The romance between Arwen and Aragorn is only hinted at in the book, and their marriage at the end of the story may come as a surprise to you. In

an appendix of The Lord of the Rings, you will find the full story of their romance.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SAM GAMGEE (SAMWISE)

Sam Gamgee, the son of Frodo's gardener, sets out with Frodo on the quest to destroy the Ring. He proves himself a faithful servant.

Tolkien once said that Sam was modeled on the noncommissioned soldiers he served with in World War I. Tolkien had found the common soldiers much more likable than his fellow commissioned officers. Years later he said, "My 'Sam Gamgee' is indeed a reflection of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen [soldiers who perform various services for superior officers] I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself."

Because he's just a gardener's son, Sam serves as the best example of Tolkien's theme about the greatness in common people. Sam at times seems simpleminded and shows a lack of understanding of the true seriousness of a situation. But his name, Samwise, hints that he's not so foolish as he seems. Sometimes he can be very perceptive in determining the motives of others. His greatest virtue is loyalty. Because of his devotion to Frodo, he too becomes a hero. It is Sam who rescues Frodo from the orcs and helps Frodo in his painful journey through Mordor, even carrying him when Frodo is too weak to crawl.

Some readers view Sam as a negative stereotype of a member of the working class. They object to what they see as his simplemindedness and his doglike devotion to Frodo. They feel that Sam should be an equal to Frodo. What do you think of the relationship between Sam and Frodo? Is it possible or desirable in the world today?

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: GOLLUM (SMEAGOL)

Gollum, the miserable creature who owned the Ring before Bilbo, reappears in The Lord of the Rings. He reveals the location of the Ring to Sauron, who sends the Black Riders to the Shire after Frodo. Much later in the

trilogy, Gollum guides Frodo into Mordor and betrays him by leading him into the lair of Shelob the spider. Even so, neither Frodo nor Sam can bring himself to kill Gollum. Their mercy is rewarded, for Gollum brings about his own destruction as well as the destruction of the Ring.

Many people think of Gollum as Frodo's doppelganger, or alter ego. A doppelganger is a character who is strongly connected to the main character, and who seems to represent a hidden facet, often the darker side, of the main character's personality. While doppelgangers are used as a literary device, they also appear often in folklore. Gollum's connection to Frodo is through the Ring. They have both possessed the Ring, though Gollum uses it selfishly for evil purposes, while Frodo unwillingly accepts it in order to destroy it. Frodo, unlike the other characters, can understand Gollum's obsession with the Ring and the misery it has caused him, for Gollum represents what may happen to Frodo if he succumbs to the Ring's power. In Frodo, Gollum sees what he might have been, had it not been for the Ring. Gollum's grief at the loss of the Ring foreshadows Frodo's own pain and unhappiness after the Ring is gone. In the end, like most doppelgangers, Gollum is finally destroyed, representing the destruction of the evil that Frodo has had to struggle with in himself.

Some people see Gollum as a tragic figure. He has not been completely corrupted by the Ring. A part of him remembers his old life, and by implication, he can then still remember and comprehend good, something that characters such as Sauron, who are totally evil, cannot. Because part of his old self remains, he's tormented. He both hates the Ring and craves it desperately. The conflict between his two sides is revealed as he alternates between his original hobbitlike personality (Smeagol), speaking normally and eager to please, and his Gollum side, nasty and treacherous. But Gollum seems doomed from the beginning, for his destiny, as has been hinted throughout the trilogy, is to be destroyed with the Ring.

Do you sympathize with Gollum? Why or why not? Do you think he deserves his fate?

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: GANDALF (MITHRANDIR, THE GREY PILGRIM, THE WHITE RIDER)

Gandalf the Grey is one of three wizards who appear in The Lord of the Rings. The other two are Saruman the White and Radagast the Brown. Gandalf seems to be a more dignified character in The Lord of the Rings than he was in The Hobbit. In Rivendell he is revealed as an imposing figure of great power that he uses for unselfish purposes. He says that he's a steward over all living things, and he works to protect them from evil.

Whereas Saruman is tempted to use his power to further his own ends, Gandalf is content to help others in their struggles against evil, placing himself in the service of all who need him. This is viewed by some readers as a Christian image and they interpret Gandalf as being saintlike. (It should be pointed out that such selflessness is considered a virtue by many religions, and also by many nonreligious people. It need not be interpreted as a Christian idea.) Like Frodo, Gandalf sacrifices himself for the sake of others, apparently dying in his fight with the Balrog, and later being resurrected. Tolkien once said that Gandalf is an angel. But it is not clear if he meant it literally, or meant only that Gandalf was similar to an angel, someone with great power who is sent as a guardian.

Some people argue that Gandalf is the true hero of the book. He has been opposing Sauron for ages, whereas others such as Frodo and Aragorn appear only near the end of the long battle against evil. Throughout the story, Gandalf works behind the scenes, guiding the others and making it possible for them to fulfill their roles in the struggle. When the ring is destroyed, Gandalf's long guardianship of Middle-earth is at last over. With Frodo, he passes over the sea to the Blessed Realm.

Gandalf can be compared to Merlin the magician, who appears in Arthurian legend. Like Gandalf, Merlin doesn't use his powers to further his own ends, but instead acts for the good of England, which is threatened with internal conflict and with conquest by foreigners. He acts as a councilor, sometimes using his magic to help things along, but never using it in any outright attempt to force events to follow his will. Gandalf's relationship with Aragorn is comparable to Merlin's relationship with Arthur, whom Merlin helps to win the throne of England and establish a lasting peace.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SAURON

Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor, is the personification of evil in The Lord of the Rings. He is also referred to as the Necromancer in The Hobbit. Tolkien's only physical description of him is as a lidless red eye. This serves to heighten the sense of dread surrounding him, more than any other description could. Through Sauron, Tolkien offers his own ideas about evil: that nothing started out evil, that evil cannot create but can only pervert, that evil cannot comprehend good and so cannot predict the actions of good, and that evil destroys free will. Through the power of the Ring, Sauron intends to enslave the inhabitants of Middle-earth.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SARUMAN (SHARKEY)

Saruman the White is a wizard like Gandalf and is head of the White Council that originally drove Sauron (the Necromancer) from Mirkwood Forest. But Saruman has studied the ways of the enemy and has fallen into the temptation to be like him, to rule the world as he sees fit. When he speaks to Gandalf of the need to drop weaker allies, and when he defends murder if it's committed for greater good, he may remind you of some modern political speakers who believe that anything can be justified by an appeal to some nebulous greater good. That, coupled with his destructive technology, makes him a very modern villain, a little more recognizable than Sauron. Saruman, like all of Tolkien's totally evil characters, cannot understand good and hates those who are good. For example, he doesn't understand Frodo's mercy toward him near the end of the trilogy, and he hates Frodo for it.

Some readers see Saruman as Gandalf's alter ego, in much the same way that Gollum is Frodo's alter ego. Saruman had the potential to be what Gandalf is, a wise and powerful being. Likewise, Gandalf has the potential to become like Saruman, for he has the same abilities and is faced with the same temptations as his fallen counterpart.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: MERRY AND PIPPIN (MERIADOC BRANDYBUCK AND PEREGRINE TOOK)

These two hobbits, friends of Frodo, serve as a balance to Frodo and Sam. Even more so than Sam and Frodo, they are foolish, innocent, and

unprepared for the trials ahead. Where Sam and Frodo face mainly mental trials, Merry and Pippin endure the physical trials of war. It is through their eyes that you see most of the action in Rohan and Gondor. And they both come face to face with evil, when Pippin is questioned by Sauron through the palantir, the stone of seeing, and when Merry meets the leader of the Black Riders in battle. They emerge from their trials stronger and wiser, and able to defend their own home. As an outward sign of this internal change, they have also grown taller.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: BOROMIR AND FARAMIR

Boromir and Faramir are both sons of Denethor, the steward of Gondor. You first meet Boromir in Book II, where he joins the company who set out from Rivendell with Frodo. Faramir doesn't appear until Book IV, when Frodo and Sam meet him in Ithilien, just outside the borders of Mordor. Faramir is the leader of a band of men from Gondor who are engaged in guerrilla warfare, harassing Sauron's armies.

Boromir and Faramir serve to contrast the warrior with the spiritual man. Boromir is characterized by his brother as closer to the "middle" race of men, the warriors. He is a proud man, who loves fighting, glory, and power. He falls under the temptation of the Ring, for he believes that force can be used in the fight for good. Faramir, on the other hand, is of the "high" race, which is more noble than the middle race in Tolkien's scheme of things. A lover of knowledge, he hates war and fights only to protect the land he loves. He easily resists the temptation of the Ring, for he recognizes the danger of power over others.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THEODEN AND DENETHOR

Theoden, king of Rohan, is a warrior of the middle race of men, while Denethor, steward of Gondor, is of the high race, a lover of knowledge. Yet in this case the comparison between "middle" and "high" is reversed, with the warrior appearing in the more favorable light. Theoden believes in the heroic ethic of the Anglo-Saxon epics: "Will shall be the sterner, heart the bolder, spirit the greater as our strength lessens." No matter how the battle goes, he never gives into despair, and eventually dies, fighting to the end. Denethor, on the other hand, prides himself as a man of knowledge. When his knowledge leads him to believe the fight is

hopeless, he can't accept defeat and, giving in to despair, commits suicide. Ironically, his suicide indirectly causes Theoden's death.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: EOWYN

The niece of Theoden, Eowyn is the most fully developed female character in Tolkien's works. She feels caged, first at having to take care of her ailing uncle, then at being left behind when the army rides into battle. She desires glory, not just dull duty. She falls in love with Aragorn, and when he doesn't return her love, she seeks death in battle. Calling herself Dernhelm, she disguises herself as a young warrior and becomes a hero by killing the leader of the ringwraiths. Eowyn is finally cured of her death wish when she falls in love with Faramir. Instead of earning glory in battle, she now wants to be a healer.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGWRAITHS (BLACK RIDERS, NAZGUL, THE NINE, FELL RIDERS)

Their captain is called the Black Captain, the Dark Captain, the Morgul king, and the Witch-lord of Angmar. The ringwraiths were nine men who served Sauron and fell under the power of the rings he had made for the race of men. Now they have faded into a shadow world and are invisible. Their cry drives men to despair. Some readers say that the ringwraiths couldn't cause such despair unless they themselves felt it.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TOM BOMBADIL

Tom Bombadil was named after a doll that belonged to Tolkien's daughter. Frodo and his friends meet him when he comes to their rescue in the Old Forest. His appearance is humorous: he is a short old man with yellow boots and a blue coat, and when the hobbits first see him he is hopping and dancing down the path, carrying lilies and singing nonsense songs.

But Tom proves to be a very powerful being. Even the Ring has no effect on him; in fact, he's able to make the Ring vanish. His wife, Goldberry, says that Tom is the Eldest, and master over all. With his great power, he could serve as a strong ally against Sauron. But when Gandalf speaks

about him later, he says that Tom is not involved in this battle. The Ring means nothing to Tom, and if they asked him to guard it he would probably forget about it and lose it.

Tom is one of Tolkien's characters who are closely associated with the natural world. In fact, many readers think of Tom Bombadil as a personification of nature. His lack of involvement in the war against Sauron is seen as a sign of nature's neutrality in the war between good and evil.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TREEBEARD (FANGORN)

Treebeard the Ent is another character who is closely associated with nature. There's a story that Tolkien invented the Ents for one of his sons, who was distressed to see so many trees cut down in the name of progress, and wanted to see the trees get revenge. Treebeard leads the Ents, a race of treelike creatures, against Saruman, whose orcs have been wantonly cutting down trees.

Like Tom Bombadil, Treebeard is neutral in the war against Sauron. He tells Merry and Pippin that the only reason the Ents attack Saruman is that he has been destroying the forest.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: SETTING

The events in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place in the imaginary world of Middle-earth, which is inhabited by fantastic people and animals, such as elves, wizards, and dragons, who are rather human in many ways. Some people say that since the works are set in a world that could never exist, they have no relevance to our own. However, many authors have used invented settings to make telling points about the real world. Some well-known examples are Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift and Animal Farm by George Orwell. Furthermore, according to Tolkien, Middle-earth is nothing more than our own world in the remote past. The name Middle-earth itself is actually an archaic word for the earth.

Although wizards, elves, and dragons may no longer exist, the principles ruling Middle-earth are still in effect today.

Tolkien tries to draw you into his fictional world by creating the impression that Middle-earth is a real place. He describes in detail the landscape, filling it with the familiar plants and animals of Earth. The books, on one level, are a tour through Middle-earth. You learn the names and background of different landmarks. You also meet the inhabitants of Middle-earth and learn something about their customs and histories. You'll probably enjoy these details, even though most are not essential to the plot. But all this information can also be confusing. In the index at the end of The Lord of the Rings you will find the names of people, places, and things. At the beginning of each volume you will find maps to help you follow the action through Middle-earth. Also, a brief history of Middle-earth is given in the end of this guide.

The setting forms a very important part of the story. Places such as the Shire, Rivendell, and Lorien are different forms of utopias, presenting some of Tolkien's thoughts about the ideal society--for example, that humans should live in harmony with nature. Evil is often associated with particular locations, such as Sauron's stronghold in Mordor. It is also associated with mountains and barren landscapes; compare the Desolation of Smaug, for example, with the wastelands around Mordor.

Encounters with danger in Tolkien's books often occur in mountains or in a forest. A character's passage into an underground place or into a dense forest can be interpreted as a descent into the person's subconscious. In other words, the danger that the character faces is symbolic of an internal struggle. So, for example, when Bilbo meets Gollum in the underground lake, he's actually meeting a part of his subconscious. In other words, the episode with Gollum may be interpreted as Bilbo confronting the potential for evil within himself. Tolkien disliked such interpretations, however, and insisted that his books be taken at face value.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THEMES

The following are themes of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

1. STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL

The forces of good in Middle-earth are engaged in a continuing struggle against evil. What will be the final outcome of this struggle? Some readers think Tolkien indicates evil will prevail, while others say he's optimistic about the ultimate victory of good.

Those feeling Tolkien thinks evil will win out note that it's left to seemingly powerless individuals like Frodo to face the overwhelming force of evil. These individuals must struggle on with no hope for assistance from someone more powerful, and with little hope for victory or even survival. Victory, when it is achieved, comes only at great cost to the forces of good. And it seems to win only a breathing space, barely enough time to recover before evil again arises and threatens the freedom of Middle-earth.

Other readers see a strong vein of optimism in Tolkien's works. They point to the fact that the inhabitants of Middle-earth are helped in their fight by a benevolent power. The workings of that power are seldom visible to the individuals in the midst of the action, but a larger viewpoint reveals a grand design. Even evil deeds are turned to good purpose--for example, when Merry and Pippin's capture by the orcs serves to bring them to Fangorn in time to rouse the Ents against the evil wizard Saruman. This seems to imply that good is stronger and more lasting than evil.

Keep these two viewpoints in mind as you read the book. Look for evidence to support one or the other, and decide which you think better explains Tolkien's works.

2. DETERMINISM VS. FREE WILL

The question of determinism is only hinted at in the last chapter of The Hobbit, when Gandalf suggests to Bilbo that his adventures may have been managed for some higher purpose. But in The Lord of the Rings it is repeatedly emphasized that seemingly random events are part of some grand design. Each of Tolkien's characters there has a big or small part to play in that design. The actions of evil characters are turned to good,

against their will. The main weapon of evil--despair--is used to turn people from their assigned tasks and so foil the designs of good. These elements in the works make people seem like puppets manipulated by opposing powers of good and evil.

Tolkien, however, also notes the importance of free will. His characters are free to accept or reject possible courses of action. The forces of good in The Lord of the Rings, such as Gandalf and Galadriel, respect this freedom to choose. They continually tell others that they not only can but must make their own decisions. Not even the prospect of total defeat can justify interfering with the free will of others. The forces of evil, on the other hand, seek to destroy free will.

It may be argued that, according to Tolkien, free will is only an illusion. Many times characters make important decisions without knowing why they made them. Bilbo, for example, is never sure just how he ended up leaving his comfortable home to join the dwarves on their adventure. Do you think that such decisions are truly free, or are Tolkien's characters being manipulated without their knowledge? Keep this question in mind as you read the works.

3. NATURE OR HEROISM

It is in their darkest moments that Tolkien's characters seem to rise above themselves and become truly heroic. Their heroism does not come from great strength or cunning, but from the indomitable will to continue as long as there is a means to resist. This is a kind of heroism that even the physically weak can achieve, as shown by Tolkien's hobbits.

4. RESPONSIBLE USE OF POWER

In Middle-earth, power is a dangerous thing that can turn against those who wield it. The forces of good in Middle-earth, such as Elrond and Gandalf, recognize this danger and are very careful how they use their power. They know that no matter how good their intention, they will find their purpose perverted if they resort to force. The best example of this is their refusal to use the Ring. The Ring gives the power to dominate others, and with it they could overthrow Sauron. But the Ring also

dominates the will of whoever wears it. Even if Gandalf used the Ring only out of the worthy desire to help others, he'd fall under its influence and turn into another Dark Lord like Sauron.

Although the forces of good will not use the power to dominate others, they do have other powers available to them--the power to heal, the power to understand, and the power to create beauty. But these seem pitifully small in the face of Sauron's power, and the temptation to "fight fire with fire" is strong.

5. COMMON PEOPLE VS. THE ELITE

Tolkien believed in the power of common people. This can be seen most clearly in the hobbits. They are weak and often foolish, yet capable of great acts of heroism that amaze even the very wise and the very strong.

The opposite point of view, elitism, is also apparent in Tolkien's works. His heroes seem to be a select few, chosen for the task of saving the world from evil. The ordinary people, such as the men of Lake-town and the hobbits of the Shire, are often depicted as simple and complacent. Some people see elitism as a bad thing. Others don't: People aren't all equal, they say, and it is the responsibility of the strong to help the weak. Which view do you favor? Why?

6. IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP

It is not lofty principles but love for land and friends that gives Tolkien's characters the strength to make the right choices in the difficult decisions they face. The evil characters, who lack this capacity for friendship, hurt their own efforts by fighting among themselves. Tolkien goes further to show that friendship should not be given just within a closed circle but should be extended to all people.

7. EVILS OF POSSESSIVENESS

In The Hobbit the evils of possessiveness can be easily seen. The dwarves are corrupted by their desire for treasure, and their greed almost leads to war with men and elves. But possessiveness can also be the root of the desire to dominate others that leads to the evil in The Lord of the Rings. Do you know what it's like to have another person feel possessive toward you? Such people can't seem to allow you your own identity--your own free will--and are unhappy if you aren't exactly what they want you to be. Now imagine if someone felt that way about the world, wanting to make everything go his way and having the power to accomplish this. He'd hate anything that had a will of its own and would want to dominate it. He might try to enslave all mankind. If he wasn't able to force nature to his will, he might even attempt to destroy it. This is exactly what Sauron tries to do in Middle-earth; he reduces countryside to wasteland, enslaves others through the lesser Rings of power, and attempts to rule all of Middle-earth.

8. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE

Nature plays an important role in Tolkien's works. Through characters like Tom Bombadil and the Ents, Tolkien seems to be saying that nature is an entity separate from ourselves, something to be respected, not dominated. His good characters have a great respect and love for nature, while the evil ones destroy nature. Furthermore, those who live close to nature, such as the hobbits and the elves of Lorien, seem to draw great power for good from it.

9. EVILS OF TECHNOLOGY

This is related to the previous theme, for Tolkien saw technology as something that destroys nature. Middle-earth is for the most part a pretechnological world. The only technology that exists is introduced by the forces of evil and is used in destructive ways. To Tolkien, technology represents the evils of the modern world: ugliness, depersonalization, and the separation of man from nature.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: STYLE

Tolkien uses a variety of styles in his works. The Hobbit is mostly written in relatively simple, friendly language: "With that the hobbit turned and scuttled inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seem rude." Tolkien's use of this kind of style makes sense when you realize that the book was originally published as a children's book.

The Lord of the Rings, which had been begun as a sequel to The Hobbit, starts out in similar style. But Tolkien soon realized that it would be a book of much wider scope than The Hobbit, and, accordingly, not far into the story he introduces a more serious tone. Sometimes he uses simple, conversational speech: "When Frodo came to himself he was still clutching the Ring desperately." At other times he uses a very formal style, reminiscent of the language of both ancient epics and the Bible: "And there came Gandalf on foot and with him one cloaked in grey; and they met before the doors of the Houses of Healing."

You will find many songs or poems scattered throughout Tolkien's books. You may be tempted to skip over these songs, but take a look at them anyway. They serve important purposes. They help characterize the people singing them. They also add humor or set the mood in some scenes. In addition, Tolkien's characters at times use songs in the ancient tradition of telling tales through song, as the minstrels of medieval Europe did. Keep in mind that Tolkien did not try to write polished poetry. Instead, he tried to make his songs sound like something that his characters would make up themselves.

As a scholar of language, Tolkien has a good ear for the ways different people talk. His characters and their different races have distinctive styles of speech that reveal a lot about their personalities. Look at this exchange, for example, between Bilbo and one of the dwarves in The Hobbit:

"Good-bye and good luck, wherever you fare!" said Balin at last. "If ever you visit us again, when our halls are made fair once more, then the feast shall indeed be splendid!"

"If ever you are passing my way," said Bilbo, "don't wait to knock! Tea is at four, but any of you are welcome at any time!"

As you can see, the main characteristic of Tolkien's style is to use language in a variety of ways. He even invented languages for his different races, such as the elves and the dwarves. You may find it interesting to choose a scene that you especially like and read it closely, noting the various ways that Tolkien uses words.

Tolkien also used other techniques of style, such as personification, metaphor, and imagery. These are discussed at various points in The Story section of this guide.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: POINT OF VIEW

Tolkien's works are written in the third person and sound as though they are stories being told aloud. In The Hobbit, the narrator speaks as if he's telling a story to children, often interrupting himself to make little asides. He also creates a very clear moral framework for the story, telling you from the onset whether a character is good or bad or somewhere in between. This is appropriate for children, who usually want to be able to easily differentiate good and evil characters. In The Lord of the Rings, which is intended for adults, Tolkien no longer does this. Instead he remains for the most part outside the story, leaving it up to the characters to judge each other.

The narrator usually follows the story through the eyes of one of the hobbits. This serves two purposes. First, the hobbit is generally considered to be a representative of the modern world, a comfortably familiar character you can identify with in a book filled with such magical images as wizards and elves. Second, following the story from the hobbits' point of view makes the hobbits the heroes of the book, placing an emphasis on their traits and their way of looking at the world. In this way, Tolkien shows the importance of ordinary people and reveals what it is that he believes makes them so special.

While the narrator of these books generally follows the story from the point of view of a character, he's not limited by that character's knowledge. He's able to step out of the story and offer information and insights that the characters are not aware of. In this way he's able to show you the total picture, which can reveal a clear pattern and purpose

behind seemingly random events, while at the same time he shows how these events appear to the individuals involved.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: FORM AND STRUCTURE

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are similar in structure. Both are organized around the idea of a journey into the unknown and back again, making the stories circular in form. Each journey can be roughly divided into four parts: a period of initiation, the fulfillment of a quest, a battle or battles, and the return home.

In the first part, the inexperienced hero of the story sets out on a journey with a group of companions. The story progresses from one safe haven to another, with dangerous episodes in between. In The Hobbit, for example, Bilbo and the dwarves set out from Bilbo's comfortable home into the Wilds. After facing the trolls, they arrive in Rivendell, where they replenish their supplies. They are attacked by goblins while crossing the Misty Mountains, and at last reach the safety of Beorn's home. From there they pass through the dangers of Mirkwood and arrive in Lake-town. Frodo and his friends have a similar series of adventures in The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of The Lord of the Rings.

These adventures serve as a period of initiation: through them, Bilbo and Frodo are prepared for the tasks that still await them. These entertaining episodes also give Tolkien an opportunity to present characters and themes.

The safe havens serve a similar function, introducing themes and characters. In contrast to the action of the other scenes, they provide a "tableaux," a graphic representation of a place or culture. This is especially true of The Lord of the Rings, with its pictures of Rivendell, Lorien, and Fangorn Forest, just to name a few. These places add to the sense of the history and cultures of Middle-earth and place the plot within the framework of this history. Many people believe that this balance between the fast-paced action of the here and now and the slow, grand sweep of history is part of what makes Tolkien's books stand out as something more than just adventure stories.

The second part of each story concerns the fulfillment of the quest, where the hero faces his moment of truth. (Bilbo's part in the quest is to help recover the treasure; Frodo's quest is to destroy the Ring.) Each must confront his fears and conquer them alone. It is at this point that the character appears as a truly heroic figure.

The third part of the story concerns a war between the forces of good and evil. (In The Lord of the Rings, you will notice, the story of the quest and the story of the war are intertwined.) The good side seems hopelessly outclassed, but somehow manages to emerge victorious at the last minute. Tolkien has been building to this moment from the beginning of the story. Each preceding episode also seemed bound for disaster. Each time, the danger has become more grim, and the hope of rescue has steadily decreased, until the hero has only himself to rely on. As the danger increases, so does the level of excitement until yet another daring escape is managed.

In The Hobbit the danger and the excitement reach a peak when the forces of good seem about to be overcome by the forces of evil. In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien builds to two simultaneous peaks. One occurs at the point when Sauron's forces sweep down on the small army led by Aragorn at the gates of Mordor. The other occurs inside Mordor, as Frodo struggles with Gollum on the edge of the Crack of Doom, where the Ring is to be destroyed. Both the war and the quest reach their resolution in the same instant, when the Ring is destroyed and with it, Sauron's power.

The fourth and final part of each story serves to wind things down. The hero returns home, looking forward to comfort. He finds instead that his home is threatened. But he has grown through his experiences and is able to regain what is his.

Of course, there are many important differences between the two works. The Hobbit follows the story through Bilbo's eyes and tells of events in a chronological sequence. In other words, you hear about things as they happen, rather than jumping ahead to future events, or flashing back to something that happened in the past. When Tolkien departs from this chronological sequence in The Hobbit, he carefully guides you through the jump in time: "Now if you wish, like the dwarves, to hear news of Smaug, you must go back again to the evening when he smashed the door and flew off in a rage, two days before."

The story line of The Lord of the Rings, on the other hand, is much more complicated. The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy, consisting of three volumes (Parts One to Three) divided into six sections (Books I through VI). The novel jumps back and forth in time, following the stories of several characters. The various story lines finally converge near the end when all the characters are reunited as Aragorn is crowned king of Gondor. Tolkien uses these shifts in viewpoint to good effect, often ending his scenes as cliff-hangers, slowly building the tension to its climax. But trying to follow the different story lines as he jumps back and forth from one to the other can be very difficult. Tolkien doesn't guide you through them as he did in The Hobbit. But he does give clues to help you put the pieces in order. For example, when Tolkien returns to Sam and Frodo in Book VI, he shows you that he's jumping back in time by telling you what Merry, Pippin, and Aragorn are doing at the same moment.

Many people have commented that The Hobbit is like a simple fairy tale, whereas The Lord of the Rings is more like a great epic poem of the past, such as The Odyssey of Homer or Beowulf, the famous Old English tale of heroism. Like both fairy tales and epics, Tolkien's books are stories of heroism in an imaginary world filled with fantastic people and creatures. But The Hobbit, like many fairy tales, is first and foremost the story of an individual's growth into maturity. It has a fairy-tale ending, with Bilbo smoking happily on his pipe many years later, rich from his adventures and satisfied with his life. An epic, on the other hand, tries to relate the hero's story to a long history and is more concerned with questions of moral choices and the fate of all men, than with its individual hero. In fact, many epics, such as Beowulf, end with the death of their heroes. The Lord of the Rings shares these characteristics of epics. Unlike Bilbo, Frodo doesn't live happily ever after. He's been wounded physically and also psychically by the loss of the Ring. His passage to the Blessed Realm at the end of the book may be interpreted as a symbolic death.

Part of Tolkien's genius lies in the way he combined the forms of fairy tale and epic. The heroes of most epics are larger than life, possessing great strength and ability, like the superheroes of comic books. But people nowadays find it hard to identify with such impossible heroes. Frodo, an ordinary person who has been thrust into a situation beyond his abilities, is a more suitable hero for a modern audience. Aragorn, on the other hand, is a classic epic hero. But he has a fairy-tale ending, winning a kingdom and marrying his lifelong love. So you see, Tolkien didn't just copy the old forms of fairy tale and epic. He reworked them

to meet the needs of a modern audience. From the great success of his books, he seems to have achieved his goal.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT & THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE STORIES

In this discussion, the chapters in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are grouped into sections. The sections in The Hobbit correspond to the series of adventures of Bilbo. Tolkien himself divided The Lord of the Rings into six sections, or books. In our discussion of the story, each of the six books is further divided into two roughly equal parts.

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT: CHAPTERS 1-3

Bilbo sets out on his adventure with Gandalf and the dwarves. After a near-fatal encounter with three trolls, the travelers arrive in the haven of Rivendell.

*

Bilbo Baggins is a well-to-do, respectable hobbit who lives alone in his tidy hobbit-hole. The comfortable order of his life is disrupted one day when Gandalf the wizard and thirteen dwarves arrive at his door. Trying to act as though nothing is out of the ordinary, Bilbo invites them in for tea and cakes. Bilbo's predicament is amusing to many readers, as he runs around red-faced and flustered, answering the doorbell and serving his uninvited guests.

This kind of humor is one aspect of Tolkien's style that some readers dislike, finding it too childish and simple. Others consider it delightful. It serves an important purpose, however. You may find the existence of dwarves, wizards, and hobbits hard to accept. Tolkien anticipates that reaction and gently ridicules his characters, hoping to disarm you. He doesn't yet require you to take them seriously.

NOTE: THE ORIGINS OF HOBBITS The best information on how Tolkien developed his hobbits comes from the author himself: "The Hobbits are just rustic English people, made small in size because it reflects the generally small reach of their imagination--not the small reach of their courage or latent power." He also admitted to what may seem a surprising literary source, the novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis, an unsympathetic portrayal of an American businessman. How does the main character in that book relate to Tolkien's hobbits? According to Tolkien, "Babbitt has the same bourgeois smugness that hobbits do. His world is the same limited place."

Unlike Sinclair Lewis and Babbitt, Tolkien portrays his hobbits in a sympathetic light. Tolkien often compared himself to hobbits and once said, "[They were] just what I could have liked to have been, but never was." You may wonder why anyone would want to be like Bilbo Baggins. You will have to wait to see what it is that makes hobbits so special to Tolkien and hobbit fans.

Thorin, the dwarves' self-important leader, is the grandson of Thrain, who once ruled a kingdom of dwarves under the Lonely Mountain. One day a dragon named Smaug descended on the mountain, killing most of the dwarves and stealing their treasure. Now Thorin and the other twelve dwarves intend to return to the mountain, avenge their kin, and recover the treasure.

Gandalf has picked Bilbo to be their burglar, but the dwarves aren't too happy with the wizard's choice. Bilbo certainly doesn't seem very qualified for the job. He's a timid little fellow who faints at the talk of danger. But Gandalf says that there's more to Bilbo than even Bilbo realizes. Under Gandalf's fierce gaze, the dwarves relent. But have they really accepted the hobbit?

Bilbo doesn't seem to be too sure that he wants to be a burglar. Part of him longs for adventure, but another part wants to be left alone to enjoy his comfortable life. What do you think makes him decide to join the dwarves?

In the morning, Bilbo and the dwarves get on their way. After a pleasant start, they face the first of many dangers on their journey. As a cold, rainy evening sets in, they discover that Gandalf has left them. Then

they see a light among the trees ahead, and Bilbo is sent to investigate, supposedly because he's the burglar. With a hobbit's knack for walking silently, he approaches the fire without being seen. There he finds three huge trolls. Instead of going back to report to the dwarves, he attempts to pick the pocket of one of the trolls and is captured. Soon the dwarves are captured as well.

The scene with the trolls has some good examples of how Tolkien lets his characters describe themselves through their actions and their speech, a commendable element of good fiction writing. Bilbo walks "primly" through the trees and sniffs at the dwarves' noisiness. What kind of person does that bring to mind? And you get a good idea of what the trolls are like by the way they eat and speak.

What do you think of the dwarves so far? They seem to be taking advantage of Bilbo when they send him ahead, but they're also quick to come help him. Thorin is almost heroic when he valiantly takes on all three trolls to save his friends. But he too ends up tied in a sack like the others. The dwarves apparently have bungled the rescue as badly as Bilbo bungled his pickpocket attempt.

Fortunately, Gandalf returns and rescues his friends through a clever bit of ventriloquism. By imitating the voice of first one troll and then another, he manages to keep them arguing until dawn, when they are turned to stone. Before going on, Gandalf and Thorin take swords from the trolls' hoard. Bilbo picks up a dagger that suits him well as a sword.

Gandalf leads the band to Rivendell, where Elrond, chief of the Half-elven, lives. In the ancient tales that Tolkien studied, elves were a race of beautiful and magical people. But since then, elves have come to be thought of as tiny, mischievous creatures who live in flower buds and ride in coaches drawn by insects. Tolkien tried to restore elves to their original stature.

When Bilbo and the dwarves arrive in Rivendell, the elves at first appear foolish, singing silly songs and laughing merrily. But Tolkien warns you that it is unwise to let yourself be deceived by appearances. Through the wise and noble character of Elrond, he reveals the more heroic aspect of elves. You learn that long ago they fought beside men in a great war

against the goblins. The swords that Gandalf and Thorin took from the trolls' hoard had been made by the High Elves to be used in that war.

NOTE: THE NAMING OF SWORDS In ancient tales, most heroes named their swords. King Arthur's sword, for example, was called Excalibur. By giving names to Thorin and Gandalf's swords, Tolkien places those warriors in the company of such great heroes. Notice that Bilbo's sword isn't mentioned, and it remains nameless. Do you think there is any significance in this?

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT: CHAPTERS 4-6

The travelers are captured by goblins in the Misty Mountains. In the goblin tunnels, Bilbo finds a magic ring and meets its previous owner, Gollum. With the help of the ring, Bilbo escapes the tunnels and rejoins his friends.

*

Days later, Thorin and the company cross the Misty Mountains and are attacked by goblins. All but Gandalf are captured and carried through a maze of tunnels into the heart of the mountain. Tolkien tells you that the goblins are "cruel, wicked, and bad-hearted," and in his description of them you can see the beginnings of his concept of evil. Their hatred of others is an important part of evil. They deny others free will by enslaving them, and they create nothing of beauty. Tolkien also makes an association here between evil and technology, particularly the technology of war--"the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once."

NOTE: TOLKIEN'S USE OF SONG One of the purposes of songs in The Hobbit is to characterize the different races. In chapter I, the dwarves' song expresses their love for treasure. The elves' song in chapter 3 expresses their gaiety. The song that the goblins sing is reminiscent of pirates and reveals their cruelty. The many one-syllable words and exclamation points give it a savage rhythm that Tolkien echoes in the narrative and in the speech of the Great Goblin.

Once again, Gandalf comes to the rescue. He kills the Great Goblin and leads Bilbo and the dwarves down the tunnels. Notice how Tolkien uses personification to describe Gandalf's sword. It "burned with a rage" at the presence of goblins and now gleams "bright as blue flame for delight" in killing their leader.

The angry goblins chase after their escaping prisoners. In the confusion, Bilbo falls, bumps his head, and is knocked unconscious.

When he wakes up, Bilbo finds himself alone in the dark. While groping around blindly, he comes upon a ring and slips it into his pocket. Tolkien tells you that this is a turning point in Bilbo's career, but doesn't say why.

Bilbo searches in his pockets for matches to light his pipe. He doesn't find them but does come upon his sword, which he draws out. This action is highly significant, for while smoking a pipe just then would have been both stupid and hobbitlike, the decision to draw his sword could be a sign of Bilbo's growing independence. He sets off down the tunnel and at an underground lake meets Gollum, one of Tolkien's most unforgettable creations.

It is Gollum's speech that is most remarkable. He hisses as he talks, and calls himself "we" and "my precious." He never speaks directly to Bilbo; he talks to himself and refers to Bilbo as "it." This way of speaking shows the selfishness of evil: Gollum treats Bilbo as an object--a potential meal--rather than as an individual with free will. In accordance with Tolkien's theme that nothing starts out evil, Gollum was once a sun-loving creature like Bilbo. For some reason not yet disclosed to the reader, Gollum was driven from his home and eventually found his way to the lake in the middle of the mountain. (You will learn more about Gollum's life, such as how he came to the underground lake, in The Lord of the Rings.)

NOTE: RIDDLE GAMES Back in the times when people first told the legends of King Arthur and Siegfried the dragon-killer, they didn't have as much in the way of entertainment as we do today. Instead, they had to entertain themselves. One way they did this was by playing riddle games.

The first person who failed to answer a riddle lost the game. Riddle games were so popular that they became a common feature in folklore and legend. In these legendary games the stakes were often high: the loser would forfeit a valuable magical treasure or even his life. Tolkien drew directly on these stories when he devised the riddle game between Gollum and Bilbo. In this case, if Bilbo loses, Gollum will eat him. Fortunately, Bilbo manages to stump Gollum with an unorthodox riddle: "What have I got in my pocket?" (This leads some people to question whether Bilbo won the game fairly.) The other riddles that appear in this scene are old standards, not only in Middle-earth but also in our own world. In fact, many of these riddles were favorites of the ancient Norse and Anglo-Saxons, and can be found in their writings that have been preserved through the centuries.

The ring that Bilbo discovered belongs to Gollum, who lost it hunting goblins in the tunnel. Gollum is obsessed with his ring, calling it by the name he uses for himself: "my precious." He lets out a horrible screech when he realizes it's gone and Bilbo has it. He rushes toward Bilbo in a murderous rage. Bilbo flees, and the ring somehow slips onto his finger.

As he runs down the dark tunnel, Bilbo trips and falls, but Gollum continues past him. Realizing the ring has made him invisible, Bilbo uses it to escape Gollum and slip out the goblins' back door. Gollum shrieks after Bilbo: "Thief, thief, thief! Baggins! We hates it, we hates it, we hates it for ever!" Is Bilbo a thief? Do you feel any sympathy for Gollum? Why or why not?

NOTE: RESPONSIBLE USE OF POWER The ring represents great power. Gollum used it to sneak up on goblins and kill them, and had planned to use it in the same way to kill Bilbo. Bilbo could also have used the ring against Gollum, but instead he jumps over Gollum's head and runs away. He does this both out of sympathy for Gollum and because of his sense of fair play. Do you think he's foolish to take such a chance?

Bilbo emerges from the goblin tunnels and realizes that he's come through all the way to the other side of the mountain. Alone, with no idea what has happened to his friends, he decides to go back into the tunnels to find them. just then he hears the voices of his companions. Since he's wearing the ring, the others can't see him. As he approaches, the dwarves are saying that they don't want to go back to find Bilbo, while Gandalf

is insisting that they must. Bilbo takes off his ring and suddenly appears, surprising them all.

Here Tolkien shows you Bilbo as morally superior to the dwarves. He was willing to go back into the tunnels alone to try to find them, but they prefer to leave him to the goblins rather than to risk getting caught themselves. You may say that the dwarves are just being realistic and that Bilbo is naively idealistic. How does this relate to Tolkien's theme that you must do what is right, no matter what the consequences?

Bilbo tells about his encounter with Gollum but doesn't mention the ring. The dwarves are greatly impressed. Gandalf gives Bilbo a queer look, as if he suspects Bilbo hasn't told the whole truth.

Knowing the goblins will pursue once night falls, the adventurers travel well into the night. They stop at last, but soon hear the howling of wolves. As they scramble into trees, a pack of wolves run into the clearing.

These are no ordinary wolves. They are Wargs, allies of the goblins, and Bilbo and his friends are trapped.

Far away, the Lord of the Eagles hears the commotion and with his followers decides to investigate.

Meanwhile, the goblins arrive in the clearing. Gandalf prepares to jump down among them and kill as many as he can before he dies. Just then, the eagles arrive and carry Bilbo and the others off to their home on the mountain peak. There the eagles bring them food: animals, which the dwarves prepare and cook. Tolkien again emphasizes how out of place Bilbo is with the dwarves. He doesn't know how to skin and cut up meat; he's used to having it delivered by the butcher!

^^^^^^^^^^THE HOBBIT: CHAPTERS 7-9

After enjoying the hospitality of Beorn, the shape-changer, Bilbo and the dwarves travel through Mirkwood Forest. Bilbo has an opportunity to prove himself by twice coming to the dwarves' rescue.

*

The next morning, the eagles deliver the travelers to the top of a great rock near the house of someone named Beorn. Gandalf warns the company that Beorn, a very great man, is easily angered; they must be very polite to him.

Beorn, whom Gandalf describes as part bear, part man, gives the group food and advice for their journey: They will have to travel through the terrible forest of Mirkwood, but should stay on the path and not drink or bathe in the water of a certain stream. He also gives them ponies but asks that they be returned when the travelers reach the edge of the woods.

NOTE: Beorn is a typical hero of the old legends. He is self-assured and seldom polite. He's also extremely fierce, almost bloodthirsty, as shown by the goblin head on the post outside his house. Unlike the ancient heroes, however, Beorn seems to belong more to the world of animals than to the world of men. He speaks with his animals, who are friends rather than possessions. He associates with bears and can turn into one himself. On the other hand, he tries to avoid people, never liking more than one visitor at a time. In The Lord of the Rings you'll find other characters who, like Beorn, are closely associated with nature.

The company reaches Mirkwood in four days. The dwarves want to keep the ponies, but Gandalf insists they be sent back. Then Gandalf says goodbye, and Bilbo and the dwarves are on their own.

As the band travels through the eerie forest of Mirkwood, Bilbo has an opportunity to convincingly prove his worth to the others. At one point, he becomes separated from the band. A giant spider attacks him and--alone and in the dark--he kills it with his sword. This serves as an initiation for Bilbo, and, proud of his victory, he finally names his sword; he calls it Sting.

Feeling bolder, Bilbo searches for his friends, only to find them prisoners of the spiders. Using his ring to become invisible, he sings insulting songs about the spiders and frees enough of the band so they can fight their way to safety. This is the first time Bilbo has made up a song, and it's the beginning of his transition into the heroic world, where the use of songs and the naming of swords are commonplace.

Bilbo has won the respect of the dwarves. Even though he has had to reveal the secret of the ring, they admire his courage and ingenuity in using it. They begin to look to him for help, just as they used to look to Gandalf. Then suddenly they realize Thorin is missing. It's too dark to look for him, so they go to sleep with this new trouble on their minds.

We learn that Thorin has been captured by Wood-elves, who, though good, are not friendly to dwarves. Knowing their king is greedy for treasure, Thorin refuses to answer his questions and is imprisoned.

As they wander in the forest the next evening, the rest of the dwarves are captured by the Wood-elves. Bilbo evades capture by slipping on his ring. The captives are taken to the king's palace and imprisoned when they refuse to answer questions. Bilbo, invisible, wanders around the palace. Ironically, he now lives up to his role as burglar, sneaking around and stealing food. He finds the imprisoned dwarves, who are quite confident the hobbit will rescue them. Bilbo isn't so hopeful and wishes that Gandalf were around. But with growing maturity, he realizes that if the dwarves are to be rescued, he must do it himself. You can see that Bilbo has grown from a helpless, foolish hobbit into someone who can take responsibility not only for himself, but for the lives of others. And yet Bilbo is also dependent on the dwarves; he wouldn't know where to go or what to do without them.

With a great deal of luck and ingenuity, Bilbo manages to free his friends, then packs them into empty barrels, which the elves throw into a stream th